DEFENSIVE END
Returning players: Enoka Migao, Tanner Jolley
2024 players not returning: Marlin Dean (transferred to Georgia State), Lawrence Falatea (transfer portal), Gabe Peterson (transferred to New Mexico State), Ioholani Raas (transfer portal), Cian Slone (transferred to North Carolina State), Blain Spires (transferred to Pittsburgh)
2025 post-spring ball attrition: Antoineo Harris Jr. (transferred to Connecticut)
2024 total production lost: 41 games, 22 starts, 97 tackles, 20.5 tackles-for-loss, 13.5 sacks, 15 quarterback hurries
2024 total production returning: 3 games, 2 starts, 2 tackles, 1 quarterback hurry
2024 total production transferring in (transfer portal/junior college): None
New faces in 2025:
Paxton Naegle 6’4″ 235 (3*) – Corner Canyon HS, UT
2024 (Sr.) Stats: 45 tackles 3.0 tackles-for-loss 1.0 sacks 1 QB hurry 1 forced fumble.
2023 (Jr.) Stats: Starter on the offensive line in all 14 games
2022 (So.) Stats: Starter on the offensive line in all 14 games
Offers from: byu, Nevada, Northern Arizona, Oregon St, UNLV, Washington St
Primary recruiter: DJ Tialavea, Cooper Bassett
https://www.hudl.com/profile/13314225/Paxton-Naegle
Nuuletau Sellesin 6’1″ 285 (3*) – byu – (2 years to play 2)
2024 (Jr.) Stats: Did not see any action
2023 (So.) Stats: 1 tackle
2022 (RsFr.) Stats: 22 tackles 6.0 tackles-for-loss 4.5 sacks 1 forced fumble
2021 (Fr.) Stats: Redshirted at Weber State
Offers from: UNKNOWN
Original offers from: Weber State
Primary recruiter: Bronco Mendenhall, Donte Wilkins
https://www.hudl.com/profile/6008326/Nuuletau-Sellesin
2025 OUTLOOK
ENOKA MIGAO
Senior Enoka Migao is expected to return to his starting role this season and have a major impact.
Last season, Migao played in 2 games with 2 starts and logged just 2 tackles and a quarterback hurry. He suffered a season-ending injury and received a medical redshirt, which will qualify him for an extra season of eligibility in 2026.
During his 4-year career with the Aggies, he has played in 22 games with 5 starts and totaled 27 tackles, 3.0 tackles-for-loss, 1.0 sack, and a quarterback hurry. His twin brother, Elia, is an offensive guard for the Aggies.
According to On3 Sports, coming out of Chaparral High (CA), Migao was rated as the 858th-best player nationally, the 87th-best EDGE defensive end, and the 70th-best prospect overall in California. He chose the Aggies over offers from Arizona, byu, Colorado, Michigan State, Nevada, Oregon State, Sacramento State, San Diego State, and UNLV.
Migao is perfect for the EDGE rush position, and he relies on his finesse and speed. He is developing a lethal bull rush and will give opposing offenses fits for years. He has a muscular frame, but also has great game speed to pair with it. He is at his best when he is tracking down opposing quarterbacks. He makes a concentrated effort to get a hand on the ball carrier to disrupt the play. He sheds his blocks easily and takes good angles to get into the backfield. He has lots of potential and will start to shine as he continues to develop.
NUU SELLESIN
Nuu Sellesin is a transfer from byu who will enter the 2025 season as a senior with two years of eligibility remaining.
Last season, Sellesin missed the entire season with an injury suffered during the preseason. Due to the severity of the injury, he received an extra season of eligibility through a medical hardship waiver.
During his 4-year career at byu and Weber State University, Sellesin has played in 14 games with 2 starts and totaled 23 tackles, 6.0 tackles-for-loss, 4.5 sacks, and 1 forced fumble.
According to On3 Sports, Sellesin was rated as the 2,202nd-best transfer portal player in the country and the 172nd-best defensive lineman in the transfer portal. Coming out of Woods Cross High School (UT), he originally signed with Weber State. It is unclear is Sellesin held any offers once he entered the transfer portal and signed with the Aggies.
Sellesin displays very active feet for a player his size. He does a good job of not getting caught up at the line of scrimmage. He keeps his head up, locates the opposing ball carrier, and goes in for the play. He has the strength to pull away from an engaged blocker. He is a very physical, strong player and loves to bully opposing offensive linemen. Once he gets his hands on an opposing ball carrier, they will not escape his grasp.
PAXTON NAEGLE
True freshman Paxton Naegle enrolled at Utah State in January and will look to turn some heads once fall camp opens.
Last season as a high school senior, Naegle shook off an injury to still tally 45 tackles, 3.0 tackles-for-loss, 1.0 sack, 1 quarterback hurry, and 1 forced fumble.
During his 3-year career at Corner Canyon High (UT), Naegle played in 37 games with 37 starts. He totaled 45 tackles, 3.0 tackles-for-loss, 1.0 sack, 1 quarterback hurry, and 1 forced fumble defensively, but was also a 2-year, 28-game starter on the offensive line.
According to On3 Sports, coming out of Corner Canyon High (UT), Naegle was rated as the 1862nd-best player nationally, the 177th-best EDGE rush defensive end, and the 26th-best player in Utah. He chose the Aggies over offers from byu, Nevada, Northern Arizona, Oregon State, UNLV, and Washington State.
Naegle is a high-energy player who explodes off the line after the ball is snapped. He uses his agility to make a quick move to take out opposing offensive linemen and win his individual matchup. He is stout in run defense, filling up gaps, making the correct reads, and shedding blockers on his way to the ball carrier. He uses solid technique, staying low, and wrapping up well. He does not let up until he brings opposing ball carriers to the ground.
TANNER JOLLEY
Adding depth to the position is sophomore preferred walk-on Tanner Jolley.
Last season, Jolley saw action in one game but did not record any stats.
During his 2-year career at Utah State, Jolley has seen action in one game and spent one season as a redshirt.
During his 3-year career at Fruita Monument High (CO), he played in 24 games with 17 starts and totaled 89 tackles, 17.0 tackles-for-loss, 6.5 sacks, 20 quarterback hurries, 4 forced fumbles, and 1 fumble recovery.
Jolley chose to become an Aggie over offers from Utah Tech and Southern Utah.
Jolley is very quick to react to the snap. He is a very fluid athlete. He relentlessly pursues opposing ball carriers until he makes contact. He is strong at the point of contact, and he wraps up as he tackles. He is able to free himself from being blocked with good hand movement. His great, great-grandfather, Ebenezer Kirkham, wrote The Scotsman.
PROJECTED 2025 PRESEASON DEPTH CHART
DEFENSIVE END
45 Enoka Migao (6-4, 260, Sr., 2L, 3*)
00 Nuu Sellesin (6-1, 285, Sr*, TR, 3*)
00 Paxton Naegle (6-4, 235, Fr., HS, 3*)
42 Tanner Jolley (6-2, 245, So, SQ, NR)
WILL LINEBACKER
Returning players: Zion Andreasen, William Holmes, CJ Nesmith
2024 players not returning: None
2025 post-spring ball attrition: Will Booth (retired from football)
2024 total production lost: None
2024 total production returning: 17 games, 0 starts, 9 tackles, 2.5 tackles-for-loss, 2.5 sacks, 1 quarterback hurry
2024 total production transferring in (transfer portal/junior college): None
New faces in 2025:
John Gayer 6’4″ 245 (3*) – College of San Mateo, CA – (2 years to play 2)
2024 (So.) Stats: 53 tackles 21.5 tackles-for-loss 15.5 sacks 1 forced fumble
2023 (RsFr.) Stats: 15 tackles 5.0 tackles-for-loss 1.0 sacks 2 forced fumbles
2022 (Fr) Stats: Redshirted at the College of San Mateo
Offers from: None
Original offers from: Akron, Bowling Green, California, Florida Atlantic, Massachusetts, Mercer, Samford, UC-Davis, UTEP
Primary recruiter: Jan Jorgensen
https://www.hudl.com/profile/16132785/John-Gayer
2025 OUTLOOK
JOHN GAYER
John Gayer is a transfer from the College of San Mateo (CA) who will enter the 2025 season as a junior with two years of eligibility remaining.
Last season, Gayer played in 13 games with 13 starts and racked up 53 tackles, 21.5 tackles-for-loss, 15.5 sacks, and 1 forced fumble. He was named the California Junior College Defensive Player of the Year.
During his 3-year career with the Bulldogs, Gayer played in 22 games with 13 starts and totaled 68 tackles, 26.5 tackles-for-loss, 16.5 sacks, and 3 forced fumbles. He also signed with the University of California in December 2024 and spent the spring ball of 2025 there before entering the transfer portal.
According to 247sports, coming out of the College of San Mateo (CA), Gayer was rated as the 177th-best junior college player nationally, the 15th-best junior college EDGE, and the 32nd-best junior college prospect overall in California. He chose the Aggies over offers from byu, Nevada, Northern Arizona, Oregon State, UNLV, and Washington State.
Gayer has had to overcome the injury bug a couple of times at his community college, so he’s already more mature than most players fresh out of junior college. He’s a student of the game and knows how to read opposing offenses and make the proper adjustments to put the defense in a position to be successful. He is a naturally physical player. He plays the run well and is strong enough to set the edge. When in pass rush mode, he has a knack for hunting opposing quarterbacks; once he gets his hands on a player, they are going down. His relentless effort just wears opposing offensive linemen down. His nonstop motor demoralizes the player in front of him.
CJ NESMITH
Redshirt junior CJ Nesmith will be battling for the number two spot.
Last year, Nesmith fought back from an injury to see action in 3 games, making 2 tackles, 1.0 tackle-for-loss, and 1.0 sack.
During his 3-year career at Utah State and Fullerton Community College (CA), he has played in 22 games with 9 starts and totaled 40 tackles, 14.0 tackles-for-loss, 8.0 sacks, 4 pass breakups, and 1 forced fumble.
According to 247sports, coming out of Fullerton Community College (CA), Nesmith was rated as the 102nd-best junior college player nationally, the 6th-best junior college EDGE rush defensive end, and the 18th-best junior college prospect overall in California. He chose the Aggies over offers from Bethune-Cookman, Morgan State, and Presbyterian College
Nesmith is a high-motor, high-intensity player who will play with non-stop determination from whistle to whistle. Speed is the name of his game, and he uses his natural ability to hunt down opposing quarterbacks and ball carriers, and he makes it look easy. He uses his lower body strength to leverage himself against opposing offensive linemen and set the edge over his blocker. He does a great job of staying low to maximize his speed. He hits with ferocity and power that makes it difficult for opposing ball carriers to slip away.
WILLIAM HOLMES
Sophomore William Holmes has a surprising start to his collegiate career and will be making a strong push for more playing time.
During his first season of collegiate football, Holmes saw action in 9 games and made 6 tackles, 1.5 tackles-for-loss, 1.5 sacks, and 1 quarterback hurry.
Holmes took a very non-traditional route to Utah State by not playing high school football. After graduating from Western International High (MI), he was selected in the fifth round and the 151st overall pick of the 2018 Major League Draft by the Los Angeles Angels.
During his 5-year minor league baseball career, Holmes recorded 163 at-bats, 39 hits, .239 (AVG), 1 home run, 23 runs-batted-in, 7 stolen bases, 17 runs scored, .339 (OBP), and .646 (OPS). He also saw limited time as a pitcher, totaling 0 wins and 2 losses in 10 games with 8 starts, 24.1 innings pitched, 38 strikeouts, and a 1.34 (WHIP).
Holmes is a physical specimen with broad shoulders and a muscular, athletic frame. He has very good foot speed for a player of his size. He possesses good lower-body strength, which will be a plus in his development. His athleticism, foot speed, and upper-body strength indicate above-average potential. He showed good raw power, and I think he brings some exciting untapped potential to the table.
ZION ANDREASEN
Sophomore Zion Andreasen will be competing hard to see this field this season.
Last season, Andreasen saw action in 5 games and collected 1 tackle.
During his 2-year career at Utah State, Andreasen has played in 6 games and totaled 2 tackles.
Andreasen chose the Aggies over offers from Idaho and San Diego State.
Andreasen has the ideal pass-rushing height and size to be an effective EDGE rush end in the Mountain West and has the talent to go with it. He has a constant motor and will chase the ball all over the field. He explodes out of his stance and knocks blockers off balance with timely hand placement and a solid bull rush to get to the backfield. He likes to put the hurt on opposing ball carriers by putting his whole body into his tackles.
PROJECTED 2025 PRESEASON DEPTH CHART
WILL LINEBACKER
00 John Gayer (6-4, 245, Jr, TR, 3*)
41 CJ Nesmith (6-4, 235, RsJr., RS, NR)
59 William Holmes (6-4, 240, So., 1L, NR)
40 Zion Andreasen (6-4, 225, So., SQ, NR)
Coming Up On Monday: Inside Linebacker